History and Development
West Edmonton Mall has evolved over four phases as its developers, Triple Five Group of Companies, assembled ideas on retail and entertainment from other projects and tourist attractions, creating a distinct and unique project.
Phase I - 1981
- 25 hectare site (62 acres)
- Mall size 106,000 sq. m. (1,140,560 sq. ft.)
- Three major department store anchors - Eaton's, Sears and The Bay
- 220 retail stores and services
- Estimated cost $200 million
Phase II - 1983
- 32 hectare site in total (79 acres)
- Mall added 105,000 sq. m. (1,129,800 sq. ft.)
- Added 240 retail stores and services, including Zellers
- Introduction of recreation and entertainment facilities: Galaxyland Amusement Park and the Ice Palace skating rink
- Estimated cost $250 million
Phase III - 1985
- 48 hectare site in total (119 acres)
- Major retail additions - The Brick and London Drugs
- Major entertainment additions - World Waterpark, Deep Sea Adventure, Dolphin Lagoon, Sea Life Caverns and Professor Wem's Adventure Golf
- Retail theme streets: Bourbon Street & Europa Boulevard
- Estimated cost of project is $1.2 billion
Phase IV -1998
- 49 hectare site in total (121 acres)
- includes Chapters, Starbucks, HMV, Famous Players
and IMAX 3-D - Estimated cost of project is $1.2 billion
POINTS OF INTEREST
BOURBON STREET
THE FLAVOUR OF NEW ORLEANS
- 13 dining rooms, lounges and bars
- an open, airy atmosphere with starry sky
- mannequins depict street people of New Orleans
EUROPA BOULEVARD
A TOUCH OF EUROPE
- fashioned after various European city streets
- exclusive fashion boutiques and designer stores
CHINATOWN - WEST EDMONTON MALL
EXPERIENCE A TASTE OF ASIAN CULTURE
- designed to reflect a traditional Chinese marketplace
- anchored by T&T Supermarket
WATER FOUNTAINS
- fountains decorate the entire mall
- all coins thrown into the fountains are donated to charity
AQUARIUMS
- features many varieties of colourful salt and fresh water fish species including Clown Fish, poisonous Lion Fish and Spotted Groupers
- located in Phase Two, Upper Level, near the Ice Palace and in the International Marketplace
CROWN JEWELS DISPLAY
- replicas of the Crown Jewels of the British Empire from William I
to George VI - includes swords, sceptres, crowns and maces
- located in Phase Three, Upper Level
CHINESE PAGODA
- hand carved from ivory by four generations of the same family
- Ming Dynasty
- Seven feet in height
SKY CEILING
- creates an atmosphere of a never-ending sky
- the sky changes from dawn to day to dusk to dark
- located in Phase IV
CHINESE VASES
SEVEN FAMILLE ROSE PORCELAIN VASES FROM THE CHING DYNASTY - 1821
- located in Phase III, corridor between West Edmonton Mall and the Fantasyland Hotel, Kang his porcelain jar, black with pink floral pattern
- located in Phase I, Upper Level, overlooking Centre Fountain two vases depicting the Emperor and his family
- located in Phase Three, Upper Level near Cafe Europa and in the lobby of the Fantasyland Hotel, are displays of two vases encased separately with multi-coloured floral patterns and a Chinese village scene on both sides (mirrored imaged)
STATUES
"Running In" Statue - Bronze
- depicts three men on the "kellyboard" of an oil drilling rig
- each man represents a different generation
- designed by Robin Bell of Edmonton, cast in Italy
- located in Phase I, Main Level, outside Gourmet World
"Two Figure Skaters" Bronze
- designed by Katherine S. Ettl
- located in Phase II, Main Level, near Entrance #8
"Two Whales" - Bronze
- artist is Robin Bell
- located in Phase II, Main Level, common Mall area
"Man Eating Lunch" - Bronze
- located at table in Gourmet Court, Phase III
"The Fantasy Chariot" - Bronze
- artist is Roy Leadbeater
- located Upper Level, Phase II, near Entrance #45
"Lady of the Street" - Bronze life-size
- located Phase III, Upper Level, Europa Boulevard
"Prima Porta Augustus"- Marble
- premier piece of Hellenistic sculpture
- located in Phase III, Gourmet Court